World Travellers

Below we offer a few Scotland facts, which you may find interesting and which may well make you want to visit this beautiful country. Certainly, there is so much for one to do and see when you visit this part of the British Isles.

We all know that Scotland is part of the United Kingdom and is to be found in the North West part of Europe. However, did you know that it is also the most mountainous part of the country in fact there are 10 mountains altogether in Scotland and the most well known of these and the highest is Ben Nevis.

As well as Scotland being part of the island of Great Britain, it also has over 790 islands and of these only 130 actually have inhabitants on them. Plus it also has more than 600 square miles of fresh water lakes (lochs) in it as well.

Along with Robbie Burns, there are plenty of other famous people who are from Scotland. These include Sean Connery (actor), Arthur Conan Doyle (author of the Sherlock Holmes novels), Sir Walter Scott (author) and Robert Louis Stevenson, another world-renowned author.

Tanygrisiau is a small welsh village in the heart of Snowdonia. It is near to Blaenau Ffestiniog. Tanygrisiau is not a place you will have heard of and yet it has quite a lot of local interest to offer for anyone visiting the Snowdonia region and is therefore a good place to stay.

Tan y grisiau is welsh for ‘below the steps’; just where the steps were no-one knows, as the steps have long disappeared. The steps probably led up from the village to the quarry above. This area is well-known for its slate quarries, especially near Blaenau Ffestiniog, but don’t let the thought of slate quarries put you off. The slate from this region was shipped all around the world; it literally “roofed the world”. Tanygrisiau is set away from the large slate quarries which are still in use and have become major tourist attractions. Llechwedd Slate Caverns on the outskirt of Blaenau Ffestiniog are world famous.

Tanygrisiau is nestled on the lower slopes of the Moelwyn Mountains. There is a wonderful panoramic view of the mountain-side to the north of the village. This mountainside helps protect the village from the cold northerly winds making the climate relatively mild considering its location high in Snowdonia. Tanygrisiau has a pleasant south-facing aspect offering excellent panoramic views.

Norway is situated in the western side of the Scandinavian Peninsula, and lies in the border of Sweden, Finland and Russia. This Nordic country is elongated in shape and includes the Arctic island of Svalbard and Jan Mayen. However, Norway’s sovereignty on Svalbard, is based on what is known as the Svalbard Treaty. This treaty is not applicable to Jan Mayen. Norway has been claiming a lot of territories and amongst them are the Bouvet Island in the South Atlantic Ocean and Peter I Island in the South Pacific Ocean. The country also claims Queen Maud Land in Antarctica, where they have established the Troll permanent research station. The extensive North Atlantic coastline of the Kingdom of Norway is home to its famous fjords.

The Norwegian kingdom underwent many changes over the next several decades since 994 AD. Before that it had faced many invasions from the Vikings. Norway was drawn into an union with Denmark in the year 1397, which lasted for four centuries. Norway fought hard with Sweden in the year 1814 and resisted the cession of their country. Sweden invaded Norway again, but let Norway keep its constitution and accept the union under the Swedish King. Through-out the 19th century, the growing nationalism in Norway led to a referendum in the year 1905, which granted the country its independence. Though Norway remained neutral in the First World War, it suffered heavy losses to its shipping. Even though Norway remained neutral at the time of World War II, the country was occupied by the Nazis and was under their occupation from 1940-45. The discovery of oil and gas reserves in adjacent waters in the late 1960’s opened up Norway’s economic fortunes. Referenda were held in the country in the years 1972 and 1994, where Norway rejected joining the European Union.

One of the most visited countries in Europe is the country of Austria, and it is no wonder to see why. Apart from its breathtaking landscapes and sceneries, travelers visiting the country of Austria are treated to an endless array of brilliantly designed buildings and palaces. It is also the home of the waltz and the famous child prodigy and classical music master Mozart. Indeed, the country of Austria is a jewel that every person must visit at least once in their entire life.

Austria is also known for its rich cultural heritage. This could be seen on the pride that the locals have for its brilliant palaces and buildings, their love for the Waltz and their homage to the classical composer and child prodigy Mozart. Whether you are traveling to Austria alone, with friends or with your family, here are just some helpful tips to make you get the most out of your trip to this magnificent country.

Public Transportation

When to Go

Belarus is a busy tourist destination hidden in the eastern half of Europe. Though it is easy to get there, it is important to understand how the place works so that you are able to see Belarus without much difficulty. The public transportation here is quite cheap. However, do not just look at the prices, and come to a conclusion, as the transport is one of the efficient systems in this part of the world. It is a better idea if you buy tickets before the date of journey, however, if you are traveling by the taxis or marshrukta (mini-bus), it is not necessary to buy tickets in advance.

Visitors can reach Belarus by air and BELAVIA is their national airline. There are two airports in use in the capital city Minsk. There are taxis and buses available round the clock from airport to other parts of the city. One can reach Minsk by bus from various nearby cities like Moscow, St Petersburg and Riga etc. Three international bus stations are available in Minsk. Railway option is wide open if you are not far away from Belarus. There are rail lines that run from Warsaw, Vienna, Moscow and Odessa. And within Belarus you have quite a few options to roam around to watch different parts of the country. The luxury coaches and taxis are available. Tourists can drive their vehicles with international license without violating terms with in the country.

I really love the Amalfi Coast. It’s very beautiful, a place of romance and enjoyment. I think the coastal town people are most familiar with is Positano, which has been featured in various Hollywood flicks. One movie you may have seen that featured the Amalfi Coast is “Under the Tuscan Sun.”

The Amalfi Coast is world famous and it’s an official “World Heritage Site.” The coastal towns are: Atrani, Amalfi, Conca dei Marini, Furore, Cetara, Maiori, Minori, Positano, Praiano, Ravello, Scala and Veitri sul Mare.

There are many things to do up and down the Coast, such as enjoying the bars & restaurants or seeking out small shops with Italian handmade goods. This is one of the most picturesque spots in Italy.

If you want to get the most out of your visit, take a look at some various Coast tours. Whether you want a private Italy tour, a nature-filled tour or just a shop and fun tour, there’s a travel company out there that offers it. Plus, navigating the area on your own can be a bit hectic. It’s best to leave it to an Italian pro. Why ruin your perfect Italy vacation?

New England is a beautiful area of the world any time of the year. New England refers to the northeastern states of Maine, New Hampshire, Vermont, Massachusetts, Connecticut and Rhode Island. Travel around this area can be done by bus, car, train, plane, seaplane or ship.

New England Travel Guide: Boston Area

Boston is considered the cosmopolitan “capital” of New England. With such a rich cultural history, Boston is certainly a great vacation spot as it has much to offer the entire family. However, because of the way Boston is laid out, it can be tricky maneuvering it by car, and it is easy to get lost on foot. The South Station Transportation Center is the ideal place for tourists to start. This terminal includes the MBTA subway station, which includes not only subways but buses as well. South station houses the Commuter Rail and intercity Amtrak trains. The Bus Station resides within South Station and handles interstate and regional buses.

Some of the places to visit while in Boston include: